James May On Jeremy Clarkson's Uncivilised Sleeping Habits | Friday Night With Jonathan Ross

Grand Tour's James May joins Jonathan on the couch to discuss the historic success of Top Gear, exciting developments in the EV world, and sleeping in the same tent as Jeremy Clarkson.
#JamesMay #GrandTour #JonathanRoss
Original Broadcast Date: 10 July 2009
Season 16, Episode 23
Jonathan Ross is joined by the grande dame of British fashion, Dame Vivienne Westwood, Top Gear's James May and American singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright. With music from Scottish troubadour Paolo Nutini
Subscribe to Friday Night With Jonathan Ross KZbin channel for weekly videos and the best bits from the show - / fridaynightwithjonatha...
Jonathan Ross presents an entertaining show featuring comedy, celebrity chat and the latest music.
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[@johnsonpragantha2974]

I would like Amazon to make, Tea Time with James May, which is a 1 and half hour episode of James drinking tea with crumpets and him talking about whatever topic he had that day.

[@zeusapollo8688]

Yes

[@gicssalada813]

James May: The reassembler is a bit like this, he builds things and talks about random topics

[@cvn6555]

He has essentially done this already. Lots of James content on the internet. "Unpimp My Ride" was great.

[@patriotbarrow]

@@cvn6555 There's always room for more May content

[@Ed.Arthur]

Agreed if it's Navy Gin time with James May

[@4eyesinthecorner399]

I genuinely find him so interesting and the nicest of the trio so it really irritates me when people make fun of him getting passionate about things or cutting him off because he’s actually knowledgeable about something and pretty decent at explaining it too.

[@pyrotechnick420]

Out of all three, James is the one who I identify with the most, so naturally I don't like it when people make fun of him.

[@gregspark9845]

@@pyrotechnick420 lighten up! Ross wasn't making fun of him, it was part of the entertainment, and James bought into it if course.

[@camerontrail7281]

@@gregspark9845 hammond and clarkson busting his balls is actually comedic though, when a television host does it it’s not funny because they’re not friends and this guy doesn’t know him. it’s the same as you or i meeting him

[@andrew.4g637]

I actually find james “technical rants” very interesting. I would love to be stuck in a lift with him

[@captvalstrax]

I would love that as well!

[@jennyarnold9350]

Hes a very intelligent informative man. Love listening to James. Hes great with Richard with their gin drinking.

[@cleverusername9369]

I spent like an hour and a half watching Richard and James getting drunk and playing chess and I have zero regrets, it was wildly entertaining

[@plipiethefish8174]

May is a true gentleman, have always been a fan but this interview is gold! Hearing him speak about his hippie moment because of the air being a 30min bike ride away really resonated. Absolute legend!

[@DeanMoxley87]

This randomly came up So I clicked love a bit of our James May

[@l3uIletpoints]

James May is a legend. He knows full well that people want to hear what he has to say. "Should the bonger come on halfway into the carwash or at the end?" Is a question not meant to have an answer. I will watch anything that he presents because he talks to me, the viewer, like no other presenter has ever mastered and make no mistake, he mastered his craft - presentation - better than anyone else ever has... apart from maybe, Clarkson. They're different sure, but they both worked very hard at perfecting the craft of presenting their programming to me and you, as individuals. And they're brilliant. I do like James May more though. Not because I think he's more authentic, they both are, I just think that James enjoys it more.

[@elliotttalksf1825]

Listening to James is a form of ASMR.

[@SardiPax]

Ross at his most irritating. James trying to tell us things that are genuinely interesting and Ross just interrupting and jibbering about not wanting to be in a lift with him. I'd happily listen to what James has to say over Ross.

[@Krytern]

Of course he kept interrupting him to try and make a joke it IS a comedy show lmao

[@anomalyp8584]

He had to man, it's a quick interview for views and show.

[@RD1R]

@@anomalyp8584 nahhhh Ross said the "oxygen bubble" around a u2 at 70k ft. He didn't even realize that James corrected him with "air bubble." After Ross said he always wanted to go "the moon and space and loves that sorta thing." Dunning Kruger hard at work. This is a bad interview because James May is SO much better educated and informed it's almost impossible to have any non-topical conversation. Ross is useless.

[@anomalyp8584]

@@RD1R Ross is there to entertain the viewer...the vast majority of which isn't educated well enough to understand what James would be on about. It's a frustration for you and me both...but that's the disadvantage of dealing with the average.The show is to give James some publicity, not to have an interesting discussion about physics or the meaning of life.

[@Hiznogood]

Ross is more of a Clarkson guy, not much sophistication and kinda rubbish.

[@tuszkki9357]

the way he explained how the atmosphere works and the metaphor of the football wrapped in tissue paper, its genuinely beautiful. James is amazing at explaining things

[@cleverusername9369]

You know you've had an epic life when you can accurately drop a quote from Buzz Aldrin about the lunar surface in reference to an experience you've had on earth, you don't get to just call something "magnificent desolation" unless it's seriously amazing.

[@RonPiggott]

If I could have James May over to my home I would honestly talk to him for hours and enjoy every single precious second. He thinks like me when you get into tinkering. It would be wonderful. In fact it would make my year. (I have a physical disability. Life isn't particularly easy. I enjoyed this video immensely.)

[@reshmapatel325]

I want james may and Jeremy Clarkson to be roomates. They are so funny together

[@djmiserablecunt7932]

yes. the hamster is annoying

[@tanker4516]

They were in the polar special.

[@TeethedGlory]

Imagine being neighbours with them. Hearing ocasionally, every other evening distinctive cry "CLARKSOOOON!!!".

[@reshmapatel325]

@@TeethedGlory 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@schoey13]

Am I the only one who seriously wants to sit down and listen to him explain mechanical and engineering stuff it’s so interesting to me

[@robertclarke71]

Mate if I had to pick anyone to be stuck in a lift with, James would be on the list. Seems like a fascinating and genuinely nice bloke.

[@randylucas2458]

I have never watched top gear because of the cars I have always watched top gear and the later work of the three gentlemen because they are so excellent together the three of them as entertainment as they are different from each other completely

[@nothajzl]

Top Gear is a top tier comedy. Cars are just a backdrop.

[@randylucas2458]

@@nothajzl well said sir well said

[@anomalyp8584]

James's memory truly is like a hard drive...SO much stuff in there!

[@sdstewart87]

James May is an absolute legend

[@swampdog1011]

I would absolutely DREAM of getting stuck in a lift with Mr May.... but I wonder if he could actually handle me🤣

[@user-bv8wr3vw4x]

In the description it's written that this is from 10 July 2009, people.

[@kuljit2306]

Hammond's hair hahaha 😂

[@phucnguyen0110]

Damn, that was 13 years ago already 😯😯😯

[@formulajuan_]

That sound effect he does at 14:10 is amazing!

[@aynos629]

I like James May. Intelligence and knowledge are sexy

[@billsmith7254]

A clever man!

[@leahhe3528]

I find May is very charming. I don't know why they always find him awkward.

[@kiely4561]

well James was definitely right about the electric car lol

[@artzreal]

James is the coolest of the trio, by far. And I would very much like to have some good long conversations with him.

[@tomasrubeck230]

What a lovely bloke

[@eatonuter7113]

Intelligent conversation between James and Johnathan.

[@markorollo.]

i think the most interesting thing here is finding out JR is older than JM

[@FirestormX9]

Can't believe this was over a decade ago!

[@hugoagogo9435]

May for prime minister. His fantastic logic to everything would run the country like clockwork.

[@noobzy964]

2 4 6 8 JAMES MAYyyy!!!!!

[@applejuice5272]

Jaaaaames Maaaaaaaay

[@abitoutofsorts]

James is awesome

[@claireyoung9620]

James is a wonderfully intelligent man.

[@waywardgoddess7219]

I just gotta say the photo of Hammond and Clarkson in the thumbnail Hammond looks like a hobbit from the shire and Clarkson looks like he could be an extremely young Gandalf 😂😂

[@Zyrdalf]

I want to hear about the overlapping tube method?!!!??!?!

[@87654321j]

Id love to get in a conversation with James May Johnathan woss however I'd rather skewer my hand Toba table 😂

[@simonkevnorris]

I was in primary school for the Luna Landing and I was in a classroom in Perth WA to watch the landing on a small black and white TV. I know that before then we were asked to leave all the lights on at night for when the astronauts were orbiting.

[@iambiggus]

I was 9 when Challenger went up. I had stayed home from school with a cold and watched it with my dad. I still recall quite a bit of detail, even to the point of remembering what the room/bed/tv looked like and the brief conversation right after. I asked him if that actually just happened? He didn't answer me right away but was very somber and said something to the effect of how big a deal it was and how it will be something I remember years from now. He was right, it's one of my earliest, strongest memories.

[@TheCrapman50]

the interview was delightful, the laughing that abruptly stops sounded pretty damn stupid. 😂

[@sectortech12b8]

Top gear with the original 3 is a favorite , hilarious great show on prime

[@zAngus]

How old is this interview. Must be years and years.

[@chawnadams9648]

Reason why new Top Gear and the copies dont work is Jim, Jezza and Dick are actually real best friends. People feel like they're watching their buddies argue and bicker.

[@SW4PN1L]

Why do you want him on the show if you don't want to hear him talk, i bet not so interesting people always cut short the interesting ones....

[@ModifiedSecta]

Friday Night With An Absolute K N O B feat Sir James May

[@biswojyoti1]

i cant understand why these trios are not in more talkshows

[@Leonf123]

Has to be one of the coolest men alive

[@franciscourioste4783]

I'm quite interested about what he meant by the principle of the "Tube in a tube"

[@elirien4264]

I'd rather listen to James May than that host.

[@HNRichard]

This is from 2009?? It's so HD! Maybe this one isn't edited for old nearly square TVs at the time.

[@kathywilliams9672]

i love Janes

[@stonkr]

I think we're going to need a bigger lift.

[@annettekleynhans6127]

Fleck of dust in a Hoover bag…… well said James!

[@moonliteX]

is this quite an old episode?

[@pyrotechnick420]

They did great with James' makeup here he looks 10 years younger lol

[@PrestigeWorldWide179]

Fucken good on James

[@jeanmyers1787]

James May is so super intelligent compared to J. Ross

[@LackedBetterName]

There's only one person here I wouldn't want to get stuck in a lift with and it ain't James

[@raccooncitysurvivor7746]

Lurpak was invented in 1901

[@SS-jt9ex]

I would not mind in the slightest if i was stuck in a lift with James,.. Jonathon, on the other hand. Not so much

[@aynos629]

He is funny, too. Don't be mean

[@THE-BUNKEN-DRUM]

*Jonathan

[@cidertom5140]

I’d prefer Clarkson

[@pyrotechnick420]

fun fact James studied music out of all things in university. But he played a keyboard only once on Top Gear and that's it

[@MontyCantsin5]

@pyrotechnick: What about the Top Gear of the Pops episode that was aired as part of Red Nose Day? Surely that counts too.

[@pyrotechnick420]

@@MontyCantsin5 totally forgot about that thank you

[@numberyellow]

I wouldn't mind getting stuck in a lift with him... i can only imagine the kind of fascinating conversation that would take place..

[@jesusalbertoguerrerocarden6628]

Imagine a podcast between James May and Neil DeGrasse Tyson.

[@cambo338]

Why wouldn't you want to be stuck in a lift with him? The amount of interesting things he could tell you

[@mediocreman2]

That old grey haired lady has quite a deep voice! And looks 50 years older than Jonathan. 😅

[@terryhayward7905]

Being stuck in a lift with James would be a a really good time, I just would not want to be stuck in lift with JC :)

[@cleverusername9369]

Why not? He'd be bloody hilarious and he's tall enough to remove the roof panels

[@terryhayward7905]

@@cleverusername9369 I don't think I could take the complaints that "I have every disease that has ever been invented". OK, I am joking, he would be hilarious. :)

[@fabiandimaspratama]

The most interesting "boring man". James May a.k.a. Captain Slow a.k.a. Captain OCD

[@BarryBollox.]

I would rather get stuck in a lift with james may than 99% of the guests on here.

[@IdleByte]

Goes from talking about the environment being fragile to building plasticine villages and Lego houses... :O

[@alstuart8801]

this is old footage.. May not on Top Gear. Four Puffs & A Piano are no longer on Ross's show either.

[@johnennis4586]

what happened to the four puffs?

[@jimmunro4649]

Yea James 252 mph is slow

[@youtubeaccount489]

Ross isnt half rude

[@emptybucket1988]

Imagine if they grabbed a few cold ones at James pub they can talk day and night can't they

[@peterthomas5792]

Sorry to echo James' anality, but 70,000 feet is a bit more that a 30-minute brisk bicycle ride. You'd have to average 26 mph - that's Tour-de France riding.

[@nothajzl]

One time people let May explain something and the universe stopped

[@manny2248]

The host is Nicholas Cage in a wig

[@derlangsame4471]

Who the hell could cycle for 70000 feet in half an hour constantly? Athletes yes, but not normal cyclists. Seventy thousand feet is almost 22 km. That means averaging 44 km/h or 27 mph.

[@Krytern]

He just came up with the number in the middle of a conversation he couldn't pause to do a quick bit of math like you can watching a video over the internet.

[@TheShootist]

10 years old?

[@disclaimer.imjokin]

13

[@jennybettles7680]

James where has the beard gone it suits you.

[@bamikroket]

If there's anyone with who I'd rather not be in an elevator with, it's some jackass who thinks it's comedy to make fun of people knowing things.

[@since1876]

I really hate when smart people go on shows with dumb people that won't let them talk because it's boring to dumb people.

[@bsenroy]

Man, James is sexy. and i am not even gay.

[@maxrocatansky5516]

Yes you are.

[@cidertom5140]

I wish they would sort out the way ross speaks

[@adgyadgy]

Land on the moon ?????????

[@Cypher791]

Were they pressed for time? Feels very rushed… ⏰😒

[@Dibs1978]

Both great guys, but no chemistry in this interview.

[@bhew7409]

Typical finger on the pulse upload from the JR team...

[@richierich1835]

this is really old.. Clarkson is NOT married to her anymore

[@joelouis-arena4061]

Is he Mrs Hammond Now?

[@littlepepito]

Didnt know jon hangs out in a gay showtune salon

[@thatsmeinthepic]

Can’t imagine Mr. May has been back on Ross’ show after this encounter. Awful hosting!!

[@TheXxPSYCHO]

old news

[@pauls466]

at least he has a brain.

[@thegman352]

The most interesting boring man

[@FullmetalSP1]

Biggest load of bollox talking about how exhausting the potential of bicycle is the reason why people drive cars.

[@johnfrei9057]

EVs are not real for prime time. They’re recharged mostly by fossil fuels. The manufacture of them has a huge environmental impact, as does the disposal of the highly toxic batteries. Where’s the environmental benefit?

[@pepe6666]

He is the world's most interesting boring person

[@phuketexplorer]

This video is from ancient history! Thumbs down.

[@windsweptconcept7261]

Jonathan is such an awkward interviewer.